Tapping Touch -What is Tapping Touch?-

Effectiveness of Tapping Touch
	The effectiveness and applicability of tapping touch have been confirmed through use in a wide number of fields and through the experience of many people. The following list of the effects of Tapping Touch is based on: 1) Responses and impressions of people who have experienced Tapping Touch, 2) Clinical effects of Tapping Touch in counseling and psychotherapy, 3) Applications and effectiveness of Tapping Touch in educational institutions and in the area of school counseling, 4) Applications and effectiveness of Tapping Touch in specialized fields such as social-work and medicine, and 5) Results of psychological and physiological researches.
	Psychological effects:
		1) Relaxation, a sense of peace 2) Reduction of stress and anxiety 3) Calming heightened emotions such as anger, sorrow, or anxiety 4) A sense of " getting grounded" 5) A warm feeling of being cared for and considered valuable 6) Increase of positive feelings and thoughts
	Physical effects:
		1) Release of physical tension, a sense of refreshed energy 2) Reduction of physical symptoms of stress (stiff shoulders, neck pain, tension) 3) Increase more natural physical sensations
	Effects on human relationships:
		1) People feel safer, and find it easier to speak. 2) Increase sense of connectedness and become easier to relate with others 3) "Skin ship" and conversation within the family are increased. 4) People feel mutually supportive without depending on each other.
Applications for Tapping Touch
	General applications
		Tapping Touch has very broad applications, and can be applied usefully in a variety of fields. Here I have listed some of the applications that have been useful or effective.
		Casual exchange between friends or family members Receiving Tapping Touch when one is feeling "down" or short of energy Given to someone who is tired or ill Given to release physical and emotional tension following an accident or natural disaster Used as an "icebreaker" to help a group start working together
	Specialized applications
		Education and school counseling
		In school counseling situations To teach mutual trust and increased relaxation during various classes To show teachers' support for students To improve stress management and "skin ship" at the workplace for teachers. To teach to students and parents, as something they can share with their friends and families
		Counseling and psychotherapy
		For use in counseling and therapy (mostly use self-tapping) To deepen a state of relaxation As an adjunct to image work and hypnotherapy As a helpful technique in marriage and family therapy (especially mutual tapping) Many applications in group work (both self-tapping and mutual tapping) As a technique that can be learned during the therapy session for use when alone (self-care)
		Groups
		As a way to break the ice when groups first get together Applications in group work and group therapy Something that groups of senior citizens can do for each other As a response tool in situations where large groups of people have been injured, in natural disasters, etc.
		Medical and nursing-related applications
		To reduce patient anxiety on hospital admission and when undergoing therapy As a tool in palliative care To improve self-healing capability through relaxation To reduce accident-related and treatment-related trauma To improve stress management and "skin ship" within the hospital
		Care-giving and social work-related applications
		Applications in facilities for the disabled and in nursing homes To support emotional and behavioral control To provide support for the elderly and for family caregivers
		Other
		Useful in improving artistic and physical abilities For volunteer training For care and "skin ship" with pets (cats, dogs, etc.)
Points of caution when using Tapping Touch
		Please pay attention to the following points as you enjoy your practice of Tapping Touch.
		Gentle, relaxed, enjoyable, Don't work to make a massage out of it Don't push, don't press, don't force
		Precautions when working with people who are ill In the case of a physical illness, Tapping Touch can be used to relax anxious or tense patients, providing support for a return to health. However, if the person is severely ill, it is best if you consult with a medical specialist before giving Tapping Touch. The same guidelines apply for patients with mental illness, except that Tapping Touch should be avoided in psychiatric patients who have a tendency toward paranoia and in patients who respond abnormally to touch or have abnormal physical sensations. In all cases of mental illness, it is advisable to have support from specialists such as clinical psychologists, mental health departments, and certified counselors.